The Best Router Bits Of 2019

Ever wanted to get some work done around the house by yourself instead of hiring a technician? Or you want to get into woodworking? Or maybe, you’re a professional at this and are looking for a set to start things?

If so, look no further. Routing is
the answer, and if you have a router, you need router bits. And I’ll be talking
about the best router bits in this article to help your find you your right
pick.

What Are Router Bits?

Before we talk about router bits, you should know what a router is. A router is a device that is used to hollow out sections of wood. It is sort of a drill but covers a larger area. The router bits are the cutting tools that routers use to hollow out and mold a piece of wood.

There are different types of router
bits. They come in a wide variety of shapes and lengths and therefore the way
the wood is routed depends on the shape of the router bit. So usually, a
selection of router bits are used to craft various different shapes and
profiles on the wood.

Our Recommended Best Router Sets

On the market, there are several
brands. So you might be confused as to get which one. But worry not, here are
some choices for you to consider.

1. Hiltex 10100 Tungsten Carbide Router Bits

One of the key elements for a router bit is the sharpness
and Hiltex has you covered. It’s got sharp edges on all of its bits and you can
use it to plow through wood quite easily. These bits are constructed from hard
tungsten carbide steel which makes it very resilient and stiff.

The tungsten makes this heat-resistant as well. The heat will definitely evolve from routing as things rub together and friction is created. If your router bits are made of just metal they will be deformed in the heat. However, having a tungsten build fixes that as tungsten is very resistant to heat.

This set of bits employs the use of
a bearing roller and that means that the boring and hollowing is smooth. You
might need to apply sandpaper just a little bit afterward but it is still worth
it. The profile of the shape that you route out is very prominent so you do not
have to route through it again for better accuracy.

If you’re a novice woodworker, this
is definitely the set for you. It can be set up rather quickly and you can get
working on it just as fast. Also, it is ideal for some work around the house
and for you to make some knick-knacks in your garage. It’s perfect for the
hobbyist as well.

As it is a starter set and made for
the beginners, it isn’t too surprising to know that when placed under
professional toll it will give way. It just isn’t built for that. If you try
the bits on industrial materials, chances are, they will snap. Keep that in
mind. If you’re a professional, there are others on this list for you.

Pros

It has good sharpness and is
resistant to heat. The routing is smooth. This thing is ideal for beginners.

Cons

It is unsuited for extended use.

2. Router Bit Set- 24 Piece Kit with ¼” Shank And Wood Storage Case

This amazing set comes with bits
that are quite easy to add on the shaft and begin work. The setup is quite easy
to grasp and get started with. So if you’re looking to get into woodworking,
this is probably for you. Also, the design is simple and almost anyone can
begin using it with no prior experience.

As such, it’s great for work around
the house. More and more people are discovering that some basic DIY skills can
save you a lot of money and as such, are getting interested in this. And this
is suited just for that. It is not too complicated and hits the minimum
requirements to be a router bit set quite well.

Since it is suited for such light
jobs around the house, it isn’t too surprising to know that it is more suited
for softer woods. While, yes, it can be tried on harder woods, there is always
the chance it’ll snap. Better safe than sorry. On softer wood, however, it does
an excellent job and cuts with precision.

The set also encompasses a very wide
variety of bits. In total there are twenty-four parts and among them are
fifteen different bits. This is the reason why it’s very good for the hobbyist.
They usually experiment with different shapes and as such, they would
definitely appreciate the rich selection of bits.

However, you should know that it is for
casual use. If a professional tried it, the set would wear away in no time.
Extended use will definitely cause it to become blunt rapidly. And, excess
pressure will most likely result in a snap. So if you’re a professional, this
isn’t for you.

Pros

It’s a great option for amateurs and
has a good variety of bits. Also, it’s excellent for DIY work around the house
as it cuts well on softwood.

Unlike the aforementioned sets, this
one, by Bosch is made to be resilient and it operates very well under high
demand. It can handle professional work quite seamlessly and is something you
could consider if you are looking for a professional setting. This can handle
high volumes of work rather easily.

As it is suitable for the
professional, it should not come as a surprise that it is made to be very
tough. It can definitely handle the pressure of high powered routers and still
provide peak performance. The robust structure of this tool makes it able to
handle thick wood as well. It’ll never snap under any circumstances.

While it is more suited for
professional use, setting it up does not require any professional knowledge of
any sort. It’s rather simple. Fixing them on is quite easy and doesn’t need any
prior knowledge. So if you want to spare the bucks, you can get this for casual
work too. That way it’ll last longer as well.

The bits are made to be extremely
precise. They cut at sharp angles. You don’t need to worry about bumps or
ridges. The cutting action is also very smooth so it requires little manual
adjusting. And the shapes on the bits are cut very accurately so they can make
complex shapes with no flaws.

This set also contains a good
collection of bits. While not the most varied, it is enough for starter level
woodworking. However, for experts, the lack of variety starts to show. Certain
complex bits are missing from this set which some expert woodworkers use.
However, for you and me that will hardly be noticeable.

Pros

It’s ideal for professional work has
a robust frame. The cuts are really acurate and the tools is quite versatile.

Cons

It has a somewhat limited array of
bits.

4. Whiteside Router Bits 401 Basic Router Bit With 1/2-Inch Shank

The best woodworking router bit set,
and arguably one of the best sets overall, this is made by Whiteside. Hence
it’s an excellent choice for any hobbyist. You can set it up very easily.
Operation is easy too. The bits themselves aren’t very difficult to interpret
either, so they’re excellent for a beginner too.

On the note that it is great for
hobbyists, the bit set contains a great variety of bits. That means that if
you’re someone who plays around with woodworking, you’ll definitely love this.
It has bits of distinct shapes that are often not employed professionally and
therefore are missing from those sets.

Don’t think they can’t handle being
used as a professional tool, however. They work really well and are of optimum
sharpness. This tool can cleave through soft wood without breaking a sweat and
even harder woods like redwood. The high sharpness means you don’t need to push
it down as hard.

Its high sharpness also makes it
very smooth. Most routing operations usually send sanding afterward. Ergo, you
need to smooth it out with sandpaper. But not this one, this set has bits that
route so smooth that the surface comes to you in a plane and perfectly uniform
way.

Also, the bits themselves are also
extremely resilient. Just because you don’t need to apply pressure doesn’t mean
they can’t take it. They hold out under high stress and provide great
performance as well. They are also very durable and last long even if used
extensively for heavy work.

Pros

It has a smooth routing. This thing
can be perfect for people with little experience. You’ll find the device long
lasting and it has a good selection of bits. The cutting power is also great.

Cons

It’s quite Expensive

5. MLCS 8377 15-Piece Router Bit Set With Carbide-Tipped

We’re switching back to beginner
sets again. This one is unique in that it is rather easy to recognize which bit
does what and thus you don’t have to undergo trial and error. You don’t need
any prior experience to start with this and soon enough you’ll feel like you’re
carving wood like a pro.

This also makes it a very convenient
tool for the hobbyist who isn’t really looking to be a professional. It is a
rather small investment so you need not worry. Chances are if you have a
router, you are invested in it enough already. The bits also come in distinct
shapes for you to try out with.

Incredible as its merits are in
non-professional spheres, it does fall short in the professional realm and
given its price, that should be expected. Don’t put it under heavy stress.
It’ll probably not be able to function under those conditions and thus wear
away soon.

As such, the bits aren’t really
strong enough for extended use. They will rapidly wear down if you keep using
them for long hours. And, on hardwood, they give way and snap rather easily. So
all in all, it is definitely not a good idea if you’re looking to start working
professionally with this one.

However, despite not being very good
with hardwood, it does work wonders on softer ones. In fact, it bores through
them with relative ease and the cutting is rather smooth as well. While you
still need to apply some sandpaper, it still isn’t that big of a chore.

Pros

It’s a
great starter set and a fine option for hobbyists. You can use this for cutting
softer wood.

Cons

It’s not
the ideal option for commercial work.

6. Freud 91-100 13-Piece Super Router Bit Set

The bits described here were
manufactured by Freud and they are made to be extra sharp. The cutting on all
of these bits is amazing and you don’t need to push it too far to make the cut.
Even wood that is on the harder side can easily be cut thanks to its amazing
sharpness.

Also, the sharpness makes the
routing operations very smooth. There are no jagged parts on the wood and you
only need to do a little bit of sanding. The set also contains very precise
bits so that you can choose the ones you like and perform tasks that need an
above average level of accuracy.

Setting up the bits is pretty
simple. You unpack it and fix the bits on the shaft and then you secure them
right in place. That’s really all there is to it. This makes it an ideal set
for people looking to start woodworking or just doing some routing around the
house.

Moreover, the routing operation
itself is also pretty easy thanks to these bits. It runs very smoothly. You can
be very gentle with it and still have it cut through inches upon inches of
wood. There is also very little vibration generated from these bits so you can
have a smooth ride through and through.

There is one technical issue that
should be considered. The box that is used to store the bits isn’t the best.
Taking them out of the box is sort of hard. You might consider using a
different container but then again that means finding the one bit you need from
the dozen of them.

Pros

It has a cutting edge and allows you
to operate it easily. You’ll love the fact that there’s little to no
vibrations.

Cons

The unit is a bit difficult to
unpack.

7. Neiko 10115A Premium Tungsten Carbide Router Bits

This set contains bits that are good
at cutting, especially softer wood as they are amazingly sharp which means you
don’t have to press it down as hard as you might expect to and it also means
that the cutting is neat. On harder wood, they still do well, owing to its
sharpness, but extended use might dull them.

The good sharpness also means that
the cuts are very smooth and leave little splinters and the routed surface is
usually quite even. This means you need very little sanding done afterward.
With rougher router bits you often have to sand for several minutes or even
more.

It is however not so suited for the
professional as the set has only the bare basics and they aren’t the most
precise. Nevertheless, it is enough for a beginner. It is the basic set of bits
and thus is easy to set up and the bits themselves are easy to recognize.
Operating using these bits is easy too.

Despite not being a professional
router bit set, the bits are quite resilient. They are made with carbide steel,
which makes them extremely rigid. Hence a little pressure is fine. However
rigid things do tend to snap rather than bend, and once it does snap, it is
beyond repair. So I’d recommend you use it for casual purposes only.

By casual use, I mean as a learner
kit for amateurs and a very good DIY set for work around the house. Many
fixtures are wooden and instead of calling in a technician every time they have
issues, you could fix some of them yourself. It’s rather easy to learn and you
save money in the long run.

Pros

The sharp Bits provide smooth
routing. It’s a good choice for rookies. This thing is made well and suitable
for DYI.

Cons

Professionals won’t find this ideal
for them.

8. Yonico 17702 70 Bits Professional Quality Router Bit Set

Manufactured by Yonico, this set has
a wide collection of router bits. This is great news for the average user, as
well as for the woodworker. The good choice of bits lets you experiment and
produce more complicated shapes. It also lets you grasp the basics of working
with routers.

Don’t scoff at its performance just
because it is a beginner set. The bits are well reinforced and they will last
you a long time. Even high-performance usage is of a little issue for this. If
you’re a professional, this could serve as a cheap startup set before you move
on to more expensive ones.

The bits are extremely precise and
thus you can use them to make clean and accurate cuts. They are also sharp so
cutting and routing are easy. You can make very accurate and sharp angles with
this and construct very precise shapes with this. The sharpness also means less
pressure on the bits.

However, that doesn’t mean that it
can’t take the pressure though. The bits are very rigid. And while that does
mean that they are prone to snapping, it’ll only do so if you press it too
hard. Good luck on that, as this set is strong enough to seamlessly plow
through even the harder woods.

There is one complaint that I have
to acknowledge though, and that is that the shaft on all of these is actually
short. That sort of limits the mobility on these. You often have a hard time
reaching all the nooks and crannies. Despite the bits being precise, having
this flaw prevents you from doing certain types of precise work.

Pros

This thing has a great variety of
bits and offers clean cut. Construction is good.

Cons

The bit shaft is too short.

Best Router Bits Buying Guide

There are factors that you need to consider before you start hunting for your bits. And I’m here to outline them. They are as follows:

Sharpness

By sharpness, I mean the ease at
which the material can be cut. It usually is a prerequisite for any router bit.
Solid carbide or even carbide tipped bits are sharp enough for you to cut
through most types of wood. It is especially important for routing harder
wood.

Durability

Again, this is a key factor for
routing harder wood. However, it is also something you need if you turn to
routing rather frequently. Over time the bits do tend to dull and wear
down.

Precision

Precision is basically the accuracy
of shaping when routing the wood. It is particularly important if you’re looking
to do woodworking as a hobby, as you will be carving out some unique and
unconventional shapes.

Smoothness

Smoothness is important as after you are done routing you have to sand the thing. The higher the smoothness, the less you have to sand.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can you use these on metal?

Ans: That isn’t usually recommended as the bits might snap. However, softer metals like aluminum can be routed with bits made of carbide.

Q: Can I use them on a router table?

Ans: That depends on the shank length. While most router bits have the required length, some are not long enough for a routing table.

Q: Do they work on polymer materials?

Ans: Short answer, yes. However, most bits tend to heat up when routing so you might end up melting or charring your material. Look for ones that generate less heat. Also, don’t route continuously on polymer materials as this also builds up heat.

Q: Can I sharpen the bits?

Ans: Yes, but it is way cheaper to get replacements. You can get it sharpened at a shop, but that’ll cost you more than the bit itself. Alternatively, you could learn to sharpen bits by yourself.

Q: What kinds of wood are suitable for routing?

Ans: All routers mentioned here can work with softwood really well. Some are a bit fragile and can’t cut harder wood though. Exotic wood isn’t an issue either, as hardness is usually the only factor.

Conclusion

I have outlined various types of
routers. They all have their fair share of advantages as well as disadvantages.
What you are to do is recognize which one suits your needs. Look through them
and then decide which one is the best router bit. Weigh your options and know
what you want. Good luck. And happy hunting.